Sow parity impacts profits

With cull sow prices currently good, now is an ideal time for pig producers to review the sow parity distribution in their herds, says Paul Thompson, veterinary consultant to pig-breeding company, ACMC.

Sow parity distribution can be a major driver of herd fertility and productivity. Animals over target parity for the herd frequently under-perform badly.

Mr Thompson advises producers to review the number of sows falling into the unproductive, older parities and those coming up to farrow and plan gilt inputs accordingly.

It should be remembered that one of the biggest depressors of output is not hitting the service target in the first place! ‘Holes’ in the service pattern should also be reviewed so that gilt inputs can be planned well in advance to plug these gaps.